Immortality Starts With Investment [XIANXIA LITRPG]

A week later, Ye Chen rose leisurely. His aura was restrained, smooth, and perfectly controlled. The small bell hovered beside him, swirling with Black Yellow Primordial Essence before merging into his dantian for nurturing.

In just a week, Ye Chen had fully mastered the power surging through him after his Golden Core breakthrough. His Heavy Pupils and Primordial Supreme Heart had also evolved with his new realm, unlocking new divine abilities.

As for the Eternal Cosmos Sutra's Golden Core chapter, Ye Chen had already grasped its basics. In short, stepping into the Golden Core stage had multiplied his strength countless times.

Leaving the seclusion chamber, Ye Chen found Lu Jing waiting outside. Her face lit up with a radiant smile as she saw him emerge.

"Young Master, shall I prepare a meal?"

This time, Ye Chen didn't refuse. He nodded, making Lu Jing's smile widen as she turned to cook a spiritual feast.

A week ago, Ye Chen had noticed Lu Jing had reached the peak of early Foundation Establishment. "Why haven't you gone into seclusion to break through to mid-Foundation Establishment?" he asked.

Once she reached mid-Foundation Establishment, she could use the Glazed Purification Water to advance to the late stage.

Lu Jing shook her head. "Young Master, you've just broken through. I suspect you won't stay long before leaving again. I can go into seclusion after you're gone."

Ye Chen chuckled, reaching out to gently touch her soft, dewy cheek. "Alright, go on then."

She was right—he would leave soon. Green Cloud Sect could no longer support his growth, especially with his master absent. Even gifting treasures felt pointless without the right recipient.

This time, as he headed to Divine Will City, he resolved to find a portable cave mansion or a small world where people could live at all times. After all, he was destined to become the Holy Son of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. Leaving Lu Jing and the others behind here would be too cruel.

After Lu Jing left, Ye Chen glanced at the letter Su Yuxuan had sent him. It was brief, likely to avoid leaking sensitive information. Su Yuxuan only mentioned that her strength had greatly increased, and Manjusaka had helped her find a way to slow her rapidly dwindling lifespan. She could now live for another twenty years. She was heading somewhere farther away. That cautious approach suited her personality.

Along with the letter was a memory stone. Ye Chen sent his divine sense into it, and an image appeared in his mind—a scene filmed in a cave. Su Yuxuan's delicate, moonlit foot dipped slowly into a clear pool, playfully stirring the water.

The perspective shifted, showcasing her foot's details from every angle. In the pool, a long stalactite stood, and Su Yuxuan's foot lightly pressed against it.

That was it?

Ye Chen had expected something more. He watched it through diligently but found it utterly dull. It'd be better if she wore an anklet with bells, chiming pleasantly with each movement. Next time he saw Su Yuxuan, he'd gift her one.

By now, Lu Jing had prepared the spiritual feast. With a wave of his hand, Ye Chen pulled her into his embrace. Eating and "dining" at the same time, Lu Jing's face flushed, but she didn't resist, her demeanor gentle as water.

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Two hours later, a figure quietly slipped in.

"Sister Lu Jing, move over! It's my turn, my turn!"

After a satisfying meal, Ye Chen gently nudged the reluctant Lin Ke'er to step down. He bestowed upon her an Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core.

Lin Ke'er's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Master!"

Ye Chen waved dismissively, urging both women to focus on their cultivation. Then, under Lu Jing's reluctant gaze and Lin Ke'er's delighted one, he drifted toward Yao Xi's courtyard.

The courtyard was protected by restrictions, but Ye Chen had long been granted access and entered effortlessly.

Yao Xi emerged gracefully from her alchemy chamber, having just finished refining a batch of pills. Her naturally fragrant presence now carried a faint trace of medicinal aroma.

Seeing Ye Chen, her face brightened with delight. Her junior brother had finally come. Ye Chen smiled softly, needing no words. He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Yao Xi from behind.

Her cheeks flushed, and her long lashes fluttered like delicate fans, a glimmer of fulfilled longing in her beautiful eyes. But then Ye Chen suddenly let go.

Yao Xi couldn't hold back, grinding her teeth as if ready to bite. Before she could act, Ye Chen chuckled. "I brought something back from Divine Will City—a magical robe. I haven't had the chance to give it to you, Senior Sister. Why don't you try it on now?"

Yao Xi blinked, taking the robe. Her face reddened further as she examined it. A top-grade magical treasure robe? Such a treasure could make any Foundation Establishment cultivator's strength soar, coveted by all. Magical robes were among the priciest equipment.

But this top-grade robe only had a front. The back was merely a few delicate straps. A robe of this caliber designed like this was utterly impractical for normal use. Wasn't it absurdly extravagant?

Ye Chen, hearing the system's prompt in his mind, grinned. Not only could he enjoy the moment, but he'd also gain a hundredfold feedback. True bliss. He wondered if the system's feedback would include even more novel designs. For now, though, he had more pressing matters and no time to check.

...

Seven days later, Ye Chen emerged from seclusion once more.

Yao Xi, refreshed and radiant, was preparing a sweet tonic beneficial to the body. "When is Junior Brother leaving?" she asked softly.

She knew Ye Chen wouldn't stay long. To rogue cultivators and small clans, Green Cloud Sect was a towering behemoth, a dream destination. But for a genius like Ye Chen, it was far too small.

Ye Chen nodded. "I'll leave shortly."

Having broken through to the Golden Core stage, his cultivation now demanded higher-grade resources. Only in Divine Will City could he progress faster.

His senior sister and maids were gentle and caring, but Ye Chen understood that the path to immortality was his true foundation. He couldn't linger in their warmth forever.

Yao Xi wasn't surprised. "Come back often, Junior Brother."

She had no intention of following him. She was too weak and would only hold him back, forcing him to divert his attention to her care. Better to stay at Green Cloud Sect, cultivating while awaiting his return.

After leaving Yao Xi with some cultivation items beneficial for core formation, Ye Chen drifted away from Pill Peak.

He checked the system. In the Dao Companion section, alongside Su Yuxuan's name, Yao Xi's had appeared.

"Dao Companion: Yao Xi!"

"Feedback Rate: 100x!"

"Gift-giving yields 200x feedback, no critical hits!"

With everything settled, it was time to inform the Old Sect Master and depart.

With a thought, Ye Chen's vastly expanded divine sense, empowered by his Golden Core breakthrough, enveloped the entire Green Cloud Sect. In an instant, he located the Old Sect Master. He was fishing at the pool by the sect's entrance, as usual.

Ye Chen flashed over, appearing beside the Old Sect Master in a blink and sitting down.

"Leaving?"

The Old Sect Master, his white hair fluttering in the cold breeze, exuded an air of immortal grace.

Ye Chen nodded. "The path of immortality is like rowing against the current—not advancing means falling back. I may return less often in the future, but no matter where I go, I'll always be part of Green Cloud Sect."

With that, he offered a jade talisman.

The Old Sect Master accepted it with a sigh. "Young people are all about cultivation. Busy, busy, busy! Being busy is good…"

Noticing the Old Sect Master's hint of melancholy, Ye Chen changed the subject. "Sect Master, caught any fish today?"

The question only deepened the Old Sect Master's sorrow. He sighed heavily. "While you were in seclusion, I nearly hooked a silver dragon fish. I reckon it was at least eight hundred pounds. And now that I think about it, its scales had faint golden threads—possibly the rare Golden Spirit Silver Dragon Fish. Such a pity, truly a pity…"